Miles Kane at the Roundhouse

Miles Kane ended the two and a half month-long tour for his latest album, Change the Show, at Camden’s Roundhouse last night. He and his band looked as good as you might expect, with Kane in Elvis-style short trousers, white socks and a white singlet under a leather jacket. His backing singer was resplendent in spray-on leather leggings and a fringed jacket. The stage design was glamorous, with mirrored panels behind the band adding to a 1960s Northern Soul feel.

The crowd was also stylish and enthusiastic. Kane’s talking voice is wildly Scouse and he often checked in with the crowd to see how they were doing (well, as it turns out – nobody quite expected a mosh pit to break out to this music but it did). Ever since breaking onto the scene with the Alex Turner collaboration The Last Shadow Puppets, Kane has produced a steady stream of polished retro-informed music. Old favourites like Inhaler, Rearrange and Coup de Grace were joyously shouted back at the stage. The Last Shadow Puppets’ biggest hit, Standing Next To Me, sounded great.

Change the Show has him sounding like Marc Bolan – but this didn’t come through in the live show as much. He is a generous performer and the show featured guest appearances. Corinne Bailey Rae turned up to duet on Nothing’s Ever Gonna Be Good Enough, sharp in a scarlet trouser suit, sounding as sweet as ever. It’s great to see her performing, her voice has been missed. There were some well-chosen covers: a funky rendition of Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits and an affecting version of The Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down.

Kane can really shred and it elevated the show when he let loose and showed what he can do. Some of the songwriting isn’t as incendiary or urgent as some artists – it’s music for good times and doesn’t pretend to be anything else – but the serious musician occasionally emerged from the good-natured banter. It’s obvious everyone on stage loves what they’re doing and that energy is infectious. There aren’t too many people who can boast that their fans have turned their name into a football chant: his fans love him and it’s easy to see why.

A sexy, stylish show from a sexy, stylish man.

Jessica Wall
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Miles Kane’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Change the Show here: